Michael Richards, the producer of the show, and actress Mayim Bialik were named co-hosts of the game show Jeopardy!, succeeding legendary host Alex Trebek, who died of pancreatic cancer last November, CNBC reports.
Richards will host the standard episode of the game show, with Bialik taking over special primetime shows and anticipated spinoffs, Sony announced on Wednesday. “We took this decision incredibly seriously,” said Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global television studios and corporate development for Sony Pictures. “A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show – deservedly so because it’s ‘Jeopardy!’ and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek.” The dual hosts beat out a field of candidates, including audience favorite LeVar Burton as well as all-time champion Ken Jennings. Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers and Anderson Cooper also took turns guest hosting the show.